title: Arcuate, annular, and polycyclic inflammatory and infectious lesions.
abstract: Common shapes encountered in dermatologic diseases include linear, nummular, annular, polycyclic, and arciform. The last three have a relatively restricted differential, which must be entirely explored. It is not uncommon for a single disease to present in annular, arciform or polycyclic configurations; moreover, the lesions may evolve from being arciform to annular and then become polycyclic. Regardless, recognizing the arrangement of the defect will undoubtedly help in making a diagnosis and guiding subsequent management. We explore diseases that often present in annular, arciform, and/or polycyclic forms.
authors.affiliation: UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School, 185 South Orange Avenue, Medical Science Building Room C520, Newark, NJ 07103-2714, USA.
authors.forename: Amit
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: Phelps J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Lambert
authors.forename: Amin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Maghari
authors.forename: W Clark
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Lambert
mesh_terms: D003872:Dermatitis / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007918:Leprosy / Q000473:pathology; D009182:Mycosis Fungoides / Q000473:pathology; D012507:Sarcoidosis / Q000473:pathology; D012874:Skin Diseases, Infectious / Q000473:pathology*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D013587:Syphilis / Q000473:pathology